Argus C-4

My Dad showed up for a visit last year with a new camera to add to my collection.  He keeps his eyes open at yard sales and flea markets for cameras like this that work, are in good condition, and sell for couple dollars.  This one is special because it makes a connection to his Argus C3.  It also caused me to do some research and find some interesting evolutionary versions, like the Geiss-modified C4 and the Argus C44.  They're all nice cameras, with a pleasing update in appearance from the "brick" look of the C3.

The C4 has a similar body to the much earlier A3 - in fact the base looks identical.  The top resembles in part the C3 because of the rangefinder dial, but has some of the contours of the Leica screwmount and M-series, but not so blatant as many other brands that copied the Leica.

The Argus C4, unlike the Argus C3, did not have interchangeable lenses.  This is a little curious because it sold for more than the Argus C3.  The added cost was probably because of the faster 50mm f/2.8 lens and the improved single viewfinder.  Still, there was enough interest in interchangeable lenses that another U.S. firm, Geiss, offered a conversion that made the C4 capable of taking interchangeable lenses.  These Geiss-modified Argus C4's are far less common, having only been manufacturer for two years before Argus introduced the C44, their own version of the C4 with interchangeable lenses.